The Federal Government has intensified efforts to fast-track the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, an ambitious agricultural development initiative expected to create more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in each participating location while significantly reducing post-harvest losses across Nigeria. The renewed commitment was reaffirmed during the SAPZ Mid-Term Review Workshop held in Abuja, where government officials, development partners, and stakeholders assessed progress made under the programme’s first phase and discussed strategies for addressing implementation challenges. Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described the…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The Joint Revenue Board (JRB) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) have pledged to address growing concerns over Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms through sustained stakeholder engagement, technical consultations, and institutional collaboration. The assurance was given during a courtesy visit by Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, to the Chairman of RMAFC, Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja. At the meeting, both agencies acknowledged concerns raised by taxpayers, businesses, and industry groups regarding key aspects of the evolving tax framework, including electronic money transfer levies, stamp duties, revenue allocation, tax refunds, and advance tax payments.…
LAPO MFB SPV Plc, the special purpose vehicle wholly owned by LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, has successfully raised N4.46 billion through its debut Series 1 Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Bond, with just six investors accounting for more than 80 per cent of total subscriptions. The bond offer, issued under the company’s N30 billion bond programme, achieved a 100 per cent subscription rate, reflecting strong investor appetite despite a challenging interest rate environment. According to allotment data approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the offer attracted 31 applications, all of which were accepted, with no rejections recorded. The five-year bond,…
The Nigeria Digital Public Relations Summit (NDPRS) has unveiled a six-member Advisory Board made up of leading professionals in public relations, strategic communications, media, and digital innovation as preparations gather pace for its 2026 edition. The move marks a significant milestone for the summit, which is entering its 11th year as one of Africa’s foremost platforms for discussions on digital communications, reputation management, and public relations practice. According to the organisers, the Advisory Board will provide independent guidance, strategic direction, and industry expertise aimed at enhancing the summit’s relevance, influence, and long-term impact. The board is also expected to drive…
Nigeria is accelerating efforts to modernise law enforcement operations with the deployment of artificial intelligence-driven investigative tools and expanded digital infrastructure across police formations nationwide. The initiative follows renewed collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Nigeria Police Force, aimed at transforming policing through technology, improved connectivity, and digital innovation. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, disclosed that discussions were recently held with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, on integrating police stations into the Federal Government’s Project BRIDGE…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned Nigeria against proceeding with a proposed $5 billion financing arrangement involving First Abu Dhabi Bank, warning that the structure lacks transparency and could create additional debt-management risks for the country. The warning comes even as the IMF praised the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration since 2023, noting that they have helped stabilise the economy, strengthen investor confidence, and improve macroeconomic conditions. Speaking during a media briefing, Christian Ebeke, IMF Mission Chief for Nigeria, expressed concerns about the planned transaction, which is structured as a Total Return Swap (TRS). He noted…
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to withdraw the proposed Customs and Excise Tariff Amendment (CETA) Bill 2025, warning that the planned increase in taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) could hurt manufacturing, threaten jobs, and discourage investment. In a statement issued on behalf of operators in the non-alcoholic beverage sector, MAN urged the Ministry of Finance to suspend the proposed legislation and adopt a more coordinated and evidence-based approach to excise taxation. The proposed CETA Bill seeks to replace the current excise duty of N10 per litre on sugar-sweetened beverages with a new levy based…
The Senate has taken a significant step toward regulating Nigeria’s fast-growing cryptocurrency and digital asset sector by passing the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Regulation Bill, 2026 for second reading. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for virtual assets, digital assets, and cryptocurrency service providers, while introducing mandatory licensing, transparency, and compliance requirements for operators. Sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, the bill is aimed at protecting investors, combating fraud, curbing illicit financial activities, and unlocking the economic potential of the digital asset ecosystem. Presenting the bill on behalf of the sponsor, Senator…
TikTok removed more than four million videos and shut down over 86,000 LIVE sessions in Nigeria during the fourth quarter of 2025 as part of an intensified effort to curb harmful and policy-violating content on the platform. The figures were disclosed in TikTok’s Q4 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, cited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), highlighting the scale of content moderation in one of the platform’s fastest-growing markets in Africa. According to the report, TikTok removed 4.02 million videos in Nigeria during the quarter, with 99.9 per cent of the content detected and taken down proactively before users…
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, alongside the immediate release of N10 billion to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against a possible Ebola outbreak. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened to assess Nigeria’s preparedness against the disease. The move comes amid growing concerns over rising Ebola cases in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, prompting the Federal Government to activate emergency response measures aimed at preventing the virus…